An American jazz trumpeter, composer, and arranger, Carl Saunders (1942–2023) was a highly respected figure in big band and studio music. Throughout his prolific career, he performed with numerous legendary artists and orchestras, including Stan Kenton and Bill Holman, and was renowned for his exceptional technical prowess and lyrical improvisations. Saunders also contributed significantly as a composer and educator, leaving a lasting impact on jazz.